5 upcoming overseas players that IPL teams should look to sign in 2014 auctions

For the seventh year in a row, millions of people are going to get glued to their television sets wanting their own city or their favorite players to perform and win. The 7th edition of IPL is back. In a few months from now, whichever country this is going to be played in, it will rain sixes there.

Team owners, coaches and support staff often consider these few early months of the year before IPL as the best time to get all the theoretical work done so that a team can enjoy a successful season from the start. This season, certain teams that kept underperforming the previous three seasons will look to rebuild their squad, certain others would want some keen players, and still a few might want to retain as many of their team members as possible.

There’s only another month to go for the auctions to be held on the 12th and 13th of February. Thus, here is a list of some exciting new players who have not played the IPL before, but stand a good chance to become a highly priced player like Glenn Maxwell or Chris Morris of the previous auction.

1) Shane Shillingford

Shane Shillingford

Shillingford, already a growing sensation among West Indian fans, was definitely one of the better performers in an up and down year for West Indies in 2013. While there was already Sunil Narine who was troubling batsmen to a great extent, the chance of another off spinner being able to perform in the same team was a rarity. When given the opportunity, he bowled beautifully and stunned batsmen all around the world.

The IPL being an event held in India, he would be a much bigger threat as his performance in Tendulkar’s last series suggests. Although he hasn’t played the international format in T20’s, his domestic record is brilliant. After 26 matches, he has an average of 15 with an economy rate of 5.5, numbers for which anybody will be picked by T20 teams.

2) Kithuruwan Vithanage

Kithuruwan Vithanage

Sri Lankan hard hitting middle order batsmen who just got his break into the national side is the 22-year-old young, talented and fearless Vithanage.

Rising through the age group level at Sri Lanka, he promises a lot and would be an ideal choice for an overseas middle order batsman. Playing in the subcontinent pitch will add to his confidence and he can be a game changer with his flashy yet careful batting.

3) Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan

One of the best performers among names that came to fame in 2013 – McClenaghan. With a powerful arm that can bowl very fast, he shot to fame with consistent performances at the domestic circuit. He got a national call-up during December 2012, and from then on there was no looking back.

He has played in every ODI and T20 that New Zealand has played in the last calendar year. Although his economy rate is slightly on the higher side, his knack to pick up important wickets at the right time makes him an ideal choice for many teams. His lethal in swinger is something to watch out for.

4) Michael Swart

Michael Swart

Playing domestic cricket for Australia and international cricket for Netherlands, he is the on the 8th place in ICC all-rounder rankings for T20s. Swart’s fearless batting and off-spinning abilities makes him an important player in any team.

His experienced and exposure to playing cricket in different countries adds up to the impact he can have as a team man. With an international bowling average under 6, and a batting strike rate of about 130, this auction might see him getting picked up by some team.

5) Corey J Anderson

Corey Anderson

The next big thing of NZ Cricket, Corey Anderson welcomed us to a wonderful new year 2014, and bamboozled WI bowlers hammering a 36 ball 100. After playing 29 One Day games, his strike rate is still about 115, which underlines the impact he can have in a team.

Added to this, his left arm fast medium bowling abilities makes him a complete package for any team. He is also a brilliant fielder at any position around the thirty yard circle, so many teams will have to keep an eye out for this man.

The new season, like every other promises a lot and will surprise a lot too. This year, as an added bonus, the usual time that the tournament is hosted in, April-May has no other international tours but Sri Lanka – England, with preparatory matches scheduled against Ireland, which means all other players would be able to participate for the full season.

The only thing that Indians would want in this fun filled two months – no fixing, betting, or other such issues. If all these are taken care of, then it’s going to be one of the most exciting times of the year, the two months of April and May!